JASON DEMETRIOU expects a bit of flak when he brings his Keighley Cougars side to Huntington Stadium tomorrow.

The 35-year-old Wakefield legend signed with York City Knights in December but quit within three weeks to take up a player-coach role at Cougar Stadium.

The Press can today reveal the Knights have received some compensation from the Cougars following his switch, in the form of a fee plus a pre-season friendly next year from which York would keep the profits. Neither club would reveal the amount involved but both were happy with the arrangement.

Demetriou also praised York officials for the way the move was handled but admitted he would not be surprised if the fans gave him stick at tomorrow’s Northern Rail Cup encounter.

“When I first signed for York I was looking forward to having a good season, but then the opportunity with Keighley came up and it was too good to refuse,” he said.

“It was not an ideal situation but, either way we did it, it was not going to come out good.

“The York supporters are probably disappointed and I can understand that.

“But York have been outstanding with me and I can’t say enough for the way they handled it.

“There might possibly be some stick (from the fans) but I wouldn’t be disappointed if I don’t get any. If they’re honest, they’d see it’s more about the coaching opportunity, not playing.

“I had turned down a playing contract at Widnes to stay at York so I showed I was committed. But I’d stressed all along that coaching was where I wanted to go and, when this opportunity came, I couldn’t turn it down and the York officials helped me get a release.”

Asked if he made the right decision, he said: “Absolutely. It was a decision I made for the next few years not just one playing year.

“The decision was based on trying to build a career in coaching and opportunities like this are few and far between.”

Demetriou inherited a squad which had been relegated from the Championship last year but can expect a title challenge this term.

As for those hopes, he said: “We’re going to have to work hard for 20 rounds and earn the right to get promoted, but we’re optimistic.”

• London Skolars second-row Matt Thomas will appear before the Rugby Football League disciplinary committee on Tuesday charged with making a high tackle in the 23rd minute of last week’s draw against York, after the incident was viewed by the RFL match review panel.